"Just remember to wipe off excess lubricant from the key afterward... learned that after leaving oily fingerprints everywhere, haha."
Haha, been there myself—nothing like a trail of oily smudges to remind you of your DIY adventures. Silicone spray is definitely handy, but I've found graphite powder pretty reliable too, especially if you're dealing with older locks. It's dry and doesn't attract dust or dirt, which can gum things up over time.
Quick tip if you're stuck without any lubricant: rub a pencil lead (graphite) on your key's teeth. It sounds silly, but it actually works in a pinch. Saved me once when I was at a rental property late at night and didn't have my usual toolkit handy. Just make sure it's an old-school pencil—not those plastic mechanical ones, obviously!
Graphite powder's great, but honestly, I've always found it a bit messy. I once spilled some on my porch and spent weeks tracking gray footprints into the house... not fun. Silicone spray's usually my go-to, but in a pinch, I've actually used cooking spray—yeah, the stuff from the kitchen. Sounds weird, I know, but it worked surprisingly well when I was locked out late one night and desperate. Just gotta be careful not to overdo it, or you'll end up with greasy keys and smelling like popcorn every time you unlock your door.
Also, about the pencil trick—tried that once too. It did the job temporarily, but I found myself reapplying every few days. Good for emergencies, but probably not a long-term solution. If you're really budget-conscious (like me), investing in a small can of silicone spray is worth it. One can lasts forever, and you won't have to worry about graphite smudges or oily fingerprints everywhere.
"Sounds weird, I know, but it worked surprisingly well when I was locked out late one night and desperate."
Haha, cooking spray—never thought of that one! Did you notice any issues later, like dust or dirt sticking to the lock afterward? I've used WD-40 in a pinch before, and it worked fine temporarily, but it ended up attracting dirt over time. Silicone spray really is the best long-term solution I've found too.
About the pencil trick... yeah, it's definitely more of an emergency fix. It got me through a weekend once when I couldn't get to the hardware store, but after a few days, the lock felt gritty again. Has anyone tried powdered Teflon lubricant? I've heard good things about it being cleaner than graphite powder but haven't tested it myself yet. Wondering if it's worth picking up next time I'm at the store...
I've actually tried powdered Teflon lubricant, and it's pretty decent overall. Here's my quick take on it:
- Cleaner than graphite powder for sure—didn't leave that dark residue all over my keys or fingers.
- Doesn't attract dirt or dust like WD-40 or cooking spray (which, by the way, I can't believe actually worked for you!).
- Application was straightforward, but you do have to be careful not to overdo it. A little goes a long way, and too much can spill out and make a bit of a mess.
- Price-wise, it's slightly more expensive than graphite powder but still affordable enough to justify keeping around the house.
"About the pencil trick... yeah, it's definitely more of an emergency fix."
Agreed. I tried the pencil trick once after seeing it online, and it did help temporarily, but I noticed the same gritty feeling after a couple of days. Plus, I wasn't thrilled about graphite shavings getting everywhere.
Honestly, silicone spray has been my go-to for a while now because it's easy, clean, and reliable. But if you're looking for something dry and clean, powdered Teflon is definitely worth trying out. I keep a small tube in my toolbox now, and it's come in handy more than once. Just don't expect miracles—it's good, but not life-changing.
I've never tried powdered Teflon myself, but your experience sounds pretty promising. I remember when I got locked out once, I desperately rubbed a pencil tip all over the key—felt kinda silly standing there, graphite dust flying everywhere. It worked just enough to get me inside, but the mess afterward? Not worth it. Might have to give this powdered stuff a shot next time I'm in a pinch...
